mmarshall

I've never heard of a manual-transmission RX. They all come with either conventional torque-converter automatics, or, in the case of the Hybrids, with CVTs.

SW17LS

He means with something like an RX why would anybody care about having a manual.

bagwell

I prefer manuals in my cars - trucks not really.

Manual trans cars I've owned: Honda CRX, Acura Integra, 1984 Corvette (4+3), 2004 Corvette, 2006 Corvette, 2002 Boxster, 2013 WRX; all would have way less fun and less 'drive-able' without the manual transmission.

yeah yeah I know new trannys can shift faster than me - but they don't know what I'm thinking!

mmarshall

Why would you want to shift fast in the first place? That just puts stress and wear on the parts...especially the synchros.

SW17LS

because you're driving in a fast and spirited manner?

mmarshall

That can still be (reasonably) done without grinding or wearing out one's synchros. I don't see where a second or two difference from 0-60...or in downshifting for sharp curves...really makes that much difference. And that's where a good short-throw design for the lever comes in...the Miata/Fiat Spyder is an excellent RWD example, as is the FWD Honda Civic manual. The shorter the throw, the slower you have to move it to achieve the same results. Each to his (or her) own, though.

SW17LS

And you are assuming that someone who is shifting quickly is doing so in a manner that is damaging to ones synchros. .

JDR76

He's just saying automatics make gear changes quicker than a person changing gears with a manual, and he's correct. It can lead to faster/better performance but isn't as much fun.

plex

iTrader: (11)

My Supra is manual but it's not a daily. With DC area traffic an automatic is just find for me commuting.

mmarshall

Obviously, each transmission is different....but, in general, the quicker the shift, the more pressure and stress put on the synchros. That's one reason, among several, why Nissan, a number of years ago (I don't know if you have sampled one....I have) developed a rev-matching manual transmission for the 370Z sports car. As you push in the clutch, the engine-computer speeds up (or slows down) the RPM to match that of the applicable transmission-shaft, so the transmission doesn't suffer from shift-shock/synchro-shock when when the clutch pedal comes back out. It essentially replaces the more difficult and traditional heel-and-toe or double-clutch methods of RPM-matching...which can be tricky for a lot of people. Of course, it can be argued (and I agree to some extent), that an electronic RPM-device like that is not true manual shifting. The device can be turned off if desired.

SW17LS

I give up lol

mmarshall

That'll be the day. You'll still be swinging in the 15th round.....as with me LOL.

Anyhow, a little off-topic, but I'm going to take at least some of your advice and check out a 3.8 AWD G80 today (if there are any in stock). I checked out a 5.0L Hyundai Genesis (same basic car) a couple of years ago and found it superb...but only with RWD. It's the only non-FWD sedan currently on my shopping list.

mmarshall

Agreed. I couldn't imagine rowing one's gears in this area at the height of rush-hour. With all of the stop-lights, stop-signs, and speed-bumps, it's bad enough even at 2 AM LOL.

plex

iTrader: (11)

I bang gears in my Supra ever so often, most torque I will make is around 655 on current setup, clutch is rated for 750 torque. I know of some high power Supras are past 1K torque on stock trans, they are running triple or quad disks for clutch setup though and they also bang gears. The V160 is very stout can't speak for other trans, point is I shift fast now and then.

Majority of my commute is highway heading to Reston, VA from Bowie, MD. I will drive Supra to work at some point go in very early and stay late or leave early around 2pm.

patgilm

For daily driving I will take an automatic all day, any day in the D.C. Metro. For a weekend fun car I would pick a manual every time even if it's not as quick as a DCT or the like, it's just more fun for me.